Future of energy use needs efforts of utilities, customers, official says

By Jack Money

Published: June 20, 2008

Utility companies are willing to move forward with technology to provide programs aimed at giving consumers the most-affordable energy possible. They also have the capability of more efficiently using available energy.

But some efforts will take longer than others, and the companies and regulators must be willing to work together to make it happen, an Energy Department deputy secretary said at the Mid-America Regulatory Conference in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Kevin Kolevar, assistant secretary for electricity delivery and energy reliability, said federal officials expect electricity demand to grow by another 30 percent by 2030.

Efforts to bring renewable energy, nuclear energy, coal energy and natural gas fired energy to consumers all face hurdles because of needed regulatory approvals and potential opposition, Kolevar said.

"As policymakers and regulators, we need to do what we can today to address these issues now,” he said. "We must work together to make progress in this environment,” he said.

Kolevar said he expects customers will have more flexibility related to their energy usage within the next five years.

"We really are at the cusp of a major transformation in energy usage,” Kolevar said. "Smart grids are a great example of this.”

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., for example, is starting to test its smart grid, which networks a "smart” meter outside of a home both to the utility and to a programmable thermostat and touch-screen information panel inside.

The homeowner can use the equipment to monitor when electricity is used, which could help with decisions about usage to save money through more favorable rates.

About 6,600 residents in northwest Oklahoma City are getting smart meters, and a handful of those will also get the programmable thermostats and touch-screen information panels.

Kolevar said the program is unique because it will create "a cooperative relationship between consumers and their utilities that so far has not existed.”

Comments